Luminaire



Oct. 15, 1963 M. R. ANDERSON ETAL LUMINAIRE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1958 Oct. 15, 1963 ER N E 3,107,062

' LUMINAIRE Filed April 14, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,107,062 LUMlNAIRE Melvin R. Anderson, Avon Lake, and Alfred K. Goetz,

Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Apr. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 728,405 6 Claims. (Cl. 240-25) Our invention relates to a luminaire, and more particularly to an elongated fluorescent streetlighting luminaire.

At the present time, most fluorescent streetlighting luminaires commercially available are large, heavy units that incorporate rigid internal structure necessary to support the luminaire at one end to its mounting pole. Common practice requires a heavily trussed internal support structure necessary to form a supporting platform to which components of the luminaire may be mounted. Very often, due to the elongated structure of a fluorescent luminaire, the heavier component parts must be located closely adjacent the mounting pole in an attempt to minimize the weight of the trussed internal support. The weight of the luminaire is not substantially reduced, because a longitudinal trussed internal support is still required to mount the farthermost components. In an effort to further reduce the weight of the luminaire that is located outwardly of the mounting pole, the cover is hinged also closely adjacent the mounting pole. This has been found to be entirely unsatisfactory due tothe difiiculty in lowering and raising a long cover at the elevated heights at which such luminaires are normally located. As a result of these design problems, fluorescent streetlighting luminaires have evolved as heavier and bulkier, both in weight and appearance, in the areas closely adjacent the support pole.

Accordingly, one object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire which is relatively light of weight, and symmetrical in appearance.

Another object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire having a structural housing to support the component parts.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire having a plastic housing with molded-in Wire rods for reenforcement to support the components of the luminaire as a cantilever beam.

A further object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire having an elongated reflector which is supported at each end so as to be hingedly mounted about its longitudinal axis.

Another object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated fluorescent luminaire having a cover assembly which is hingedly detachable to either side of the elongated housing.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated fluorescent luminaire having a housing suitable for supporting and enclosing the wiring and other essential component elements necessary for the operation of the luminaire.

A further object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated fluorescent luminaire having a cooperable housing and cover which are held together by a plurality of latching members at each side thereof, each of which latching members has means for hingedly mounting the cover when the latching means on the opposite side are released.

Still a further object of our invention is to provide a new and improved elongated fluorescent luminaire 'having a housing with an integral watershed containing a gasket angularly mounted therein so as to obtain maximum peripheral contact with the cover assembly while engaging the smallest possible area, thereby reducing the loading on the gasket, and still retain its watertight fit.

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Another object of our invention is to provide a new and improved luminaire having a housing and cover assembly constructed of a colored durable plastic which will require a minimum of maintenance.

A further object is to provide a new and improved elongated fluorescent luminaire that is mounted at one of its ends by means of an adjustable bracket easily accessible to the bottom opening of the luminaire.

These and other objects of our invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of the supported end of a luminaire constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention, taken substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof with portions of the luminaire being shown in elevation;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the free end of the luminaire constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the luminaire shown in FIG. 1 taken substantially along the line III- III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reflector utilized in the luminaire shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view of the reflector utilized in the ltuninaire shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded elevational view of the hinged latch mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded plan view of the hinged latch mechanism shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the hinged latch mechanism shown in its partially open position; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevational View of the clips holding the cover in engagement with the channel member.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be noted that a luminaire constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention comprises an elongated one-piece dishedinverted cup-shaped housing 10 having longitudinal reenforcing ribs 32, only one of which is shown in FIG. 3, extending the length of the housing 10. The housing 10 is constructed of a one-piece plastic, such as a laminated polyester fiber glass incorporating integrally molded-in wire rods 34, made for example from steel, that are molded into the ribs 32 located on the inner upper surface of the housing 10. The wire rod reenforced ribs 32 provide a cantilever type support to the housing and all components outwardly located from the housing fitter 14. The housing 10', by incorporating molded-in wire rod reenforcement 34, will produce a housing with an inherent strength comparable to aluminum. To produce a uniform color in the final molded piece, an overlay mat, not shown, made of a very thin veil of glass cloth, may be laid over the outside surface of the housing just prior to molding. Without this overlay mat, a fiber glass molded housing would result in a prominent display of the glass fibers throughout the surface.

The housing 10 has an aperture in its end adjacent the housing fitter 14 of sufficient size to accommodate a hollow pipe support 28. The hollow tubular shaped housing fitter 14-, preferably made of cast aluminum, has a flange portion 25 through which nut and bolt assemblies 24 may be placed to mount the end'fitter 14 to the housing 10. A fitter gasket 26, preferably made of a resilient material, such as rubber or neoprene, is located between the'flange portion'25 and the area adjacent the aperture in the housing 10 to provide a watertight construction. A single, square-headed set screw 30 is located in the housing fitter 1-4 and is used to adjustably mount the housing fitter 14 to the pipe support.

The pipe support 28, shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1,

extends inwardlyof the-housing it from thehousing fitter 14 and engages the adjustable end fitter 12 which is clamped to the pipe support 28 by tightening a squareheaded set screw 31. The adjustable end fitter 12 is fastened to .two slotted brackets 46, shown in FIG.;3, by bolt and lockwasher assemblies'48. The slotted brackets 46 have a generally inverted U-shape and vare mounted to the inner sloping'sides of the housing 10 by nut and bolt assemblies 50. The innermostlegs of theslotted brackets46 have slots, not shown, extending substantially their length. The end fitter 12 as'shown in FlG. 1 is substantially cup-shaped in cross section having. inner and outer concentric cavities. 'The, innermost end fitter cavity 15'is of'reducedsize and hasta circular aperture 13 located in the end portionh Elecr.

trical conductors (not shown). may then be run through the hollow pipe support 28 to extend outwardlyof the aperture 13 in the end fitter 12. A-terminal'block assembly 49.215 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted by nut and bolt assemblies 51, to the inner wall of the housing 10 closely adjacent to the end fitter'12 so that electrical connections may be easily made. Referring again to FIG. 3, bosses 17 extend radially outward from opposite sides of the end fitter 12 and are located approximately 90 from the set screw 31, which is located on the bottomrnost portion of the end fitter 12. Tapped holes are located in the end fitter bosses 17 and are of a size to accommodate the bolt and lock washer assemblies 48.

The tapped holes in the end fitter bosses 17 are aligned.

with the slots in the slot-ted inner legs of brackets 46 and then the bolt and lock washer assemblies 48 are threadedly engaged with the tapped holes in the end fitter bosses 17. In this manner, .the end'fitter 12 may be vertically adjusted relative to the slotted bracket .46, thereby providing, for example, a i3 /z tilt to the luminaire housing 10. The bolt and lock washer assemblies 48, located on each slotted bracket 46, may be easily adjusted when the housing is mounted .to the pipe support 28, and when the cover 16 and the reflector 13 are. removed; or hingedly pivoted out of their operative closed positions.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a ban-a ents also.

mounted to the inner side of the housing 10. The ballast 42 has integral flanges 74 at ,each of its ends. By means of nut and bolt assemblies 44 passing through the flanges 74 and through suitable apertures in the housing 10, the ballast 42 islsecurelyattached to the housing 10 adjacentto the terminal block assembly 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a lampholdersupport is mounted to the lower inner surface of the housing 10 and at each end thereof. Each lampholder support 20 has-a generally U-shaped configuration. On the 'outer end of each of the legs of the lampholder support 29,- as shown in FIG. 1, there-are locatedt-wo lampholder support apertures 36. Nut and bolt assemblies76, as shown in FIGFZ, passthrough the housing 19 and through the lampholder suppont apertures 36 to thereby securely mount the lampholder support 20 in place. The bight portion of each lampholder support 20 is :flat and arranged-horizontallysuitable for mounting a lampholder in a slot at each outer. end.. Screws 72 threadedly engage each lampholder 38 to the lampholder support 20. Lampholders 38 may be any of the standard type commonly used, but are herein pictured in FIG. 1 as being of the tombstone type (as shownin .Pat; 2,456,940" by C. H. Hodgkins, assigned co the same assignee as this invention). Projecting lugs 22 are integrally formed on each lampholder support leg when the. lampholder support 20 is originally stamped out of.any suitable sheet metal material. The projecting lugs 22, on each side of each lampholder, provide .hinging: points for the reflector assembly 18 which will be hereinafter described.-

'To-provide additionalsupport to the housinglii, a. center brace 66,'as shown in FIG. 3,. may be mounted to. opposite inner surfaces of the housing it} approximately,

'r'riidway between the lampholder supports, by two center brace screws. 68. t

To provide additional support for the housing 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an angularly outwardly extending integral flange 53 extends around the perimeter of the open side of the housing 1010 provide additional stiffening. The housing flange 53 is integrally molded with the housing'lil'and also has a wire rod 52 extend ing about its inner periphery. By having thev steel wire rod 52 molded into the fiber glass housing about the flange portion 53, a separate structural framev to support the lower portion of the housing '10 is thereby eliminated. The flange 53 is integrally molded to the housing It and extends outwardly at an obtuse-angle relative to the housing .10 so as to provide a weather shield around the bottom openingof the housing 10; A peripheral slot 551s formedin the bottom of the housing flang'e53 with its top portion angularly displaced from=the horizontal substantially at the same angle as the housing flange '53 is displaced relative to the'housing 10. A foam plastic gasket 54,- made for example, from a soft vinyl foam or neoprene, is cemented into the peripheral "slot 55 'and also extends about the opening periphery of the housing flange 53; The foam plastic gasket 54 being substantially rectangular in section has itsbottom. surface thereby displaced at the same angle relative to the housing 10 as the housing flange 53 and the top portion of the pe-' riph'eral slot 55.

In order to provide a better light distribution, we have provideda new and improved form of composite reflector 18' which extends longitudinally between the lampholders 38 and is formed from any suitable reflecting material, such as polished aluminum. As moreclearly' shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the composite reflector com prises a pair of parabolic reflectors 18' which are placed back-to-back so that their upper and lower sides diverge. At each end and at'the center of the elongated parabolic reflectors18, at the approximate points that the backs of the reflectors 18 touch, a rive-t 60 is placed at each end to securely hold the individualrefiectors '18 'inplace. At the bottom of each reflector 18, they are bent inwardly so as to form flat plate-portions 21 which will overlap horizontally for 'the' longitudinal length of the reflector 18." Also at'each end of the'ind-ividual reflec a resilient thin gauge metal, is fastened to each end of each reflector '18 by a screw 56' passing through a suitable aperture in each'reflector 18 and threadedly engaging the end blade projections 57. End plate 58' extends perpendicularly to the reflector assembly 18 and has at its outer ends outwardly offset leaf spring projections 63 which have an aperture 59 in each of them. Apertures 59 are of 'a diameter suitable to accommodate lugs 22 located on the lampholder support 20. To mount the refiector'assembly, the end plate projections 63, which have'inherent spring properties, are deflected inwardly to engage the lugs 22. When the end plate projections 63 are positioned relative to the "lugs 22, the end projections are returned to'their original positionsthereby engaging all four lugs 22'mounted'on the two lampholder supports 20'. In this manner, the reflector assembly 18 is mounted at-four points located withinthe luminaire. The reflector assembly 18 may also 'hingedly move on. the lugs 22 on either side of the lampholder supports 20 by disengaging the end blade projections 63 from the lugs 22 located :on one side of the reflector assembly'l's. In this manner, the reflector assembly 18 may be pivotally rotated about the two lugs 22 located on the other side, thereby allowing the reflector assembly 18 to be rotated up to approximately 150 from the horizontal. After the reflector assembly 18 is rotated approximately 90, the electrical components located in, and mounted to, the housing are exposed to the bottom opening of the housing 10.

The lower open portion of the housing 10 is adapted to be closed by means of an elongated dish-shaped cover 16 which may be formed from any suitable lightweight weather resistant material that will readily transmit light without any appreciable distortion, such as a clear acrylic plastic. If desired, cover 16 may be formed by the plug and ring method whereby a heated sheet of acrylic plastic is drawn into a female ring by a male punch. A cover flange 71 is located about the periphery of the open side of the elongated dish-shaped cover 1s. A U-shaped channel frame 7% is hingably mounted to the housing 10 and engages the bottom side of the cover flange 71, so as to support the cover 16 in its closed position. A plurality of clips 101, preferably made of spring steel, are shaped as shown in FIG. 9. The clips 101 are generally U-shaped with one arm 103 inwardly bent of the open side at 102. The inner surface of arm 1G3 engages the outer surface of the U-shaped channel '70, whereas the inner surfaces of the bight portion 164 and the other arm 105 engage the flange 71 and the inner surface of the cover 16, respectively. An integral tongue 167, as shown in FIG. 9, located on arm 185 extends inwardly of the arm 105 so as to tend to dig into the material of cover 16 to thereby hold the clip 161 in position when the clip is slipped into place. The channel frame 70 is mounted to the hinging and latching mechanisms 90, described below, with the cover 16 mount ed within the channel frame assembly 70 so that the cover-flange 71 abuts against the channel frame 70. The cover 16, in its closed position, has the channel frame 76 and the cover flange 71 positioned to engage the plastic foam gasket 54. As described above, the plastic foam gasket 54 is mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal and will engage the channel frame 70 and the cover flange 71 with substantially line contact, thereby reducing the necessary latching pressure to draw the channel frame 70 and the cover flange 71 into engagement with the gasket 54 with the latter in compressed sealing condition.

The latching mechanisms 90, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, each comprise a generally U-shaped fixed latch base 82 which is secured to the outer surfaces of the housing flange 53 in any suitable manner such as by means of rivets 64 extending through an angular support portion 94. The latch base 82 is shaped so that its arms extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of the housing 10. An elongated manually operable lever 83, which is generally U-shaped and of a size so that its arms are closely mounted outward of the arms of the latch base 82, is pivotally mounted to the latch base 82 by the pivot pin 84, extending through overlapping arm portions of the lever 83 and base 82. A pivot pin 85 is located and mounted between the arms of lever 83 midway between the pivot pin 84 and the outer upwardly extending portion of the lever 83. An elongatedcurved leaf spring 86 is pivotally secured at one end to the pivot pin 85 in any suitable manner, such as by being wrapped therearound, so that upon pivotal movement of the handle 83, the leaf spring 86 is movable thereby.

As shown in the drawings, the spring 86 is arcuately curved so that its concave side faces the side of the housing 19 adjacent thereto. The spring 86 is proportioned so that its ends form an overcenter toggle with respect to the pivot pin 84. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6 the upper end of the spring 86 is located at one side of and above the pivot pin 84 while the lower end of the spring 86 is located on the same side but below the pivot pin 84. Each latching mechanism 99 is cooperable with a separate support 30 which is rigidly mounted and secured to the channel frame 7 0. As shown, the separate support St} comprises a generally flat rectangular body with integral journal portions -87 extending upwardly at each side. A pivot pin 61, similar to the pivot pins 84 and 85, extends between the two journal portions 87 of the hinge base 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pivot pin 61 mounted between the journal portion 87 at the closed portion of the cover 16 is adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the spring 86 which is reversibly bent to providea seat 8-9 having a curvature engageable with the pin 61. The spring is formed from a resilient material having sulhcient structural strength, such as sheet stainless steel, to support the cover'in its closed position.

To close the latching mechanism 90, as shown in FIG. 8, the lever 83 is rotated about the pivot pin 84 outwardly of the housing 14?, thereby allowing the spring 86 to be located outwardly of the hinge base 8! The spring seat 89 is then engaged with the pivot pin 61 of the hinge base 84 and then the lever 83 is rotated about the pivot pin 84 clockwise to its overcenter position where it is stopped by engagement of pivot pin with the upper edges of the arms of latch base 82, as shown in FIGS. 3"and 6. The spring 86 will be stressed to exert tension on pivotpin 61 as the lever 83 is being rotated to its overcenter position to thereby draw the pivot'pin 61 upwardly and into engagement with the latch base 82. A V-shaped groove 81 is located at the bottom portion of eachof the latch base arms 82 to thereby guide and positionthe pivot pin 61 securely against the latch base 82.

Once the cover 16 is isecured'in' position'so that the channel frame 70 and the cover flange 71engag'e the gasket 54, located in the housing flange 53, the latching mechanisms 9l-may also act as hinges. 1f the'latching mechanisms 91 mounted on one side of the housing 1i are opened, the latching mechanisms 9(i'on the opposite side will act as hinges. In the open position cover 16 and channel frame 7 t are mounted to rotate about their pivot pins '61. Spring 86, by being stressed and engaged to the pivot pin 61 will securely hold the pivot pin 61in the V-shaped groove 81 of the latch base '82. The lever 83; by being in its overcenter position relative to the pivot pin 84 will be biased in its closed position and will exert a constant tension on the spring 86; =Inview of the length of each luminaire, the release of either side of the cover 16 is particularly desirable as both sides of the composite reflector may easily be cleaned and/or removed to expose the electrical components mounted'in the upper portion of the housing 1%.

Thus, it will be noted that we have designed a fluorescent luminaire capable of being mounted to a support'pole at one end that has a strong rigid plastic housing enclos-i ing and supporting all electrical components located above the detachable and hingeable reflector] Al'so, this unit has a cover engaging a gasket for a'weatherproof fit by a relatively low pressure exerted over 'a relatively smaller area than has heretofore been used. Further, although this is an elongated luminaire, the interior sec-' tions, where the electrical components and mounting assemblies are located, are readily accessible for maintenance and repair purposes *by merely unlatching thecover and reflector from either side.

Having described a preferred embodiment of our in veution in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to the specific construction shown and described, inasmuch as it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of our invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible and that it be limited only as required by the prior art. i

We claim as our invention:

1. A luminaire comprising an elongated inverted cupshaped housing, electric control elements secured to said housing, lampholder supports secured to the inner surface adjacent the open side and at opposite ends of said housing, said lampholder supports bent downwardly of said housing to support lampholders below said housing, projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports and extending inwardly, an elongated reflector extending between said lampholder supports,

said reflector having two parabolic halves symmetrically disposed with relation to a plane passing longitudinally therebetween, a resilient outwardly extending end blade attached to the upper portion of each parabolic half at each end of said elongated reflector, apertures in each end of said end blade, said projecting lugs engaging said apertures to support said reflectors, said lugs and said resilient end blades cooperating to hingedly rotate said reflector about :one of its sides to thereby expose the electrical control elements located said housing.

2. A luminaire comprising, an inverted elongated cupshaped housing, an aperture in one end of said housing for receiving supporting means extending through said aperture and a short distance inwardly of said housing, electrical control elements detachably secured to the inner surface of said housing and spaced outwardly of the end of said supporting means, downwardly extending lampholde-r brackets secured to said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports at the outer ends thereof and extending inwardly of said housing, an elongated reflector extending between said lampholder supports, resilient end blades having apertures therein on said reflector engaging said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to detachably and h-ingedly mount said reflector, said reflector cooperating with said projecting lugs on said lampholder support to provide easy access to the electric control elements by pivoting said reflector from either side about said projecting lugs of one side when the end blades of the other side are released, an elongated transparent generally cup-shaped cover for the open bottom of said housing, latch mechanisms at opposite sides of said luminaire for releasably latching said cover to said housing, and said latch mechanisms at each side having portions releasably pivotally connecting said cover to said housing so that the latch mechanisms at either side may be released to permit the cover to be pivotally supported by the pivotal connecting portions of the latch mechanisms at the other side of said luminaire.

3. In a luminaire adapted to receive elongated fluorescent light sources the combination comprising, an elongated inverted trough-shaped plastic housing having a bottom opening with an integrally rnolded flange overhang about its periphery, wire rods molded integrally in the top surface of said housing along the longitudinal axis thereof for reinforcing said housing, a wire reinforcing rod peripherally molded within said housing flange, said top wire rods and said peripheral wire rod and said flange thereby structurally reinforcing said housing, lampholder supports secured to opposite ends of said housing and extending downwardly therefrom, projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports at the outer ends thereof and extending inwardly of said housing, elongated reflector means extending between said lampholder supports and spaced from the top surface of said housing, outwardly extending resilient end blades having apertures there-in on said reflector engaging said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to detachably and hingedly rnount said reflector, said reflector cooperating with said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to provide ready access to electric control elements in the space enclosed between said reflector means and said housing by pivoting said reflector from either side about said projecting lugs on one side when the end blades of the other side are released.

4. In a luminaire adapted to receive elongated fluorescent light sources the combination comprising, an elon gated inverted trough-shaped plastic housing having a bottom openin g with an integrally molded flange overhang about its periphery, Wire rods molded integrally in the top surface of said housing along the longitudinal axis thereof for reinforcing said housing, a wire reinforcing rod peripherally molded within said housing flange, said top wire rods and said peripheral wire rod and said flange thereby structurally reinforcing said housing, lampholder supports secured to opposite ends of said housing and extending downwardly therefrom, projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports at the outer ends thereof and extending inwardly of said housing, elongated reflector rneans extending between said lampholder supports and spaced from the top surface of said housing, outwardly extending resilient end blades having apertures therein on said reflector engaging said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to detachably and hingedly mount said reflector, said reflector cooperating with said projecting lugs on said la-mpholder supports to provide ready access to electric control elements in the space enclosed between said reflector means and said housing by pivoting said reflector from either side about said projecting lugs on one side when the end blades of the other side are released, an elongated light-transmitting generally trough-shaped cover for the bottom opening of said housing, latch mechanisms at opposite sides of said luminaire for releasably latching said cover to said housing, and said latch mechanisms at each side having por tions releasably pivotally connecting said cover to said housing so that the latch mechanisms at either one side of the housing can be released to open the cover at either side thereof by pivotally supporting the other side of said cover from the pivotal connecting portions or" the latch mechanisms at the other side of said luminaire.

5. A luminaire comprising, an elongated inverted weatherproof cup-shaped housing having an integral flange overhang adjacent its open periphery, electrical control elements secured to said housing, lampholder supports secured to opposite ends of said housing projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports at re outer ends thereof and extendirn inwardly of said housing, an elongated reflector extending between said lampholder supports, resilient end blades having apertures therein on said reflector engaging said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to detachably and hingedly mount said reflector, said reflector cooperating with said projecting lugs on said lampholder support to provide easy access to the electric control elements by pivoting said reflector from either side about said projecting lugs of one side when the end blades of the other side are released, said flange overhang angularly positioned at an oblique angle to the horizontal open end of said housing, a gasket mounted on the lower surface of said flange overhang recessed therein and at the same angle to said housing, latching mechanisms secured to said integral flange overhang on said housing, an elongated cup-shaped cover having an outwardly extending peripheral top-edge flange, said flange having its lower surface engaging a frame about its periphery, said frame extending outwardly of the rim of said flange and forming a generally horizontally disposed stepped surface, said frame having means engageable with said latching mechanisms to clamp said cover in engagement with said hous ing, said horizontally disposed stepped surface engaging said angularly disposed gasket to provide complete peripheral contact with said top-edge flange to thereby reduce the area loading when the cover is in its operati 'e position.

6. A luminaire comprising, an elongated inverted weatherproof cup-shaped plastic housing having an integrally molded flange overhang adjacent its open periphery, electrical control elements secured to said housing, larnpholder supports secured to opposite ends of said housing projecting lugs attached to the upper portion of said lampholder supports at the outer ends thereof and extending inwardly of said housing, an elongated reflector extending betv een said lampholder supports, resilient end blades having apertures therein on said reflector engaging 9 said projecting lugs on said lampholder supports to detachab-ly and hingedly mount said reflector, said reflector cooperating with said projecting lugs on said lampholder support to provide easy access to the electric control elesaid projecting lugs of one side when the end blades of ments by pivoting said reflector from either side about said projecting lugs of one side when the end blades of the other side are released, said flange overhang angularly positioned at an oblique angle to the horizontal open end of said housing, a resilient gasket mounted on the lower surface of said flange overhang so as to be positioned at the same angle as said flange overhang is to said housing, latching mechanisms secured to said integrally molded flange overhang on said housing, an elongated cup-shaped plastic cover having means engageable with said latching mechanisms to clamp said cover in engagement with said housing, a peripheral outwardly extending flange about the open end of said cover, a U-shaped channel engaging the bottom portion of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom, said channel and said flange forming a stepped surface generally parallel to said horizontal open end of said housing, said horizontally disposed stepped surface engaging said angularly disposed gasket to provide complete peripheral contact with said stepped surface to thereby reduce the area loading when the cover is in its operative position relative to the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 968,632 Allen Aug. 30, 1910 1,848,276 Smyth et al Mar. 8, 1932 2,278,218 Ruggieri Mar. 31, 1942 2,455,107 Beals Nov. 30, 1948 2,574,886 Phillips Nov. 13, 1951 2,608,714 Howard Sept. 2, 1952 2,694,775 Florence Nov. 16, 1954 2,727,984 Smyth et a1 Dec. 20, 1955 2,778,929 Loehr -2 Jan. 22, 1957 2,797,312 Fletcher June 25, 1957 2,833,916 Foulds May 6, 1958 2,886,699 Harling May 12, 1959 2,926,238 Anderson et a1. Feb. 23, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 585,561 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1947 

1. A LUMINAIRE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED INVERTED CUPSHAPED HOUSING, ELECTRIC CONTROL ELEMENTS SECURED TO SAID HOUSING, LAMPHOLDER SUPPORTS SECURED TO THE INNER SURFACE ADJACENT THE OPEN SIDE AND AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID HOUSING, SAID LAMPHOLDER SUPPORTS BENT DOWNWARDLY OF SAID HOUSING TO SUPPORT LAMPHOLDERS BELOW SAID HOUSING, PROJECTING LUGS ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID LAMPHOLDER SUPPORTS AND EXTENDING INWARDLY, AN ELONGATED REFLECTOR EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID LAMPHOLDER SUPPORTS, SAID REFLECTOR HAVING TWO PARABOLIC HALVES SYMMETRICALLY DISPOSED WITH RELATION TO A PLANE PASSING LONGITUDINALLY THEREBETWEEN, A RESILIENT OUTWARDLY EXTENDING END BLADE ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PORTION OF EACH PARABOLIC HALF AT EACH END OF SAID ELONGATED REFLECTOR, APERTURES IN EACH 